Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only.
This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.
You do not need a Facebook profile to participate.

You will need to register before adding a comment.
Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in.

Please be polite.
It's OK to disagree with someone's ideas, but personal attacks, insults, threats, hate speech, advocating violence and other violations can result in a ban.
If you see comments in violation of our community guidelines, please report them.

GRAMBLING — The past two years at Grambling under coach Broderick Fobbs have brought back a winning culture to the Tigers' football program.

A total of 16 victories and a trip to the conference championship game show tangible strides, but Grambling still has one piece missing. The Tigers are still learning how to handle the spotlight.

This was evident over the weekend when Grambling squandered a 21-3 halftime lead over Arizona. The potential massive upset went by the wayside in the second half, as Arizona scored 28 unanswered points to pull off a 31-21 lead.

"I think we're at that point in our third year where we understand how to overcome adversity. We understand how to be consistent in our play," Fobbs said Monday. "I think the last stage in building a championship is understanding how to handle success. I didn't think we handled success the right way on Saturday after the first half."

Grambling is a program rich with tradition with black national championships and a laundry list of NFL players. The current players have yet to experience any sort of success outside of a Southwestern Athletic Conference West Division championship.

Just three years ago, Grambling went winless against NCAA opponent and went through three head coaches during a season that featured a forfeit against Jackson State. A few of the players from that year are still on the current roster, but the rest of the group is still getting used to being the hunted rather than the hunter.

"That's the last step in building a championship is going through the success phase and thinking you're there but you're not," Fobbs said. "That's the last little bubble we have to work on. Our kids are ripe for the opportunity."

Fobbs then used several professional sports references as analogies to Grambling's program. He mentioned how these are prime teaching moments and learning experiences for the Tigers, similar to the Chicago Bulls before their run of NBA championships and the Dallas Cowboys in the 1970s when the franchise broke through with a pair of Super Bowls.

"I think you have to go through those type of adverse situations in order to understand what it takes to be a champion," Fobbs said. "That's something where we're at that stage. I'm pleased we're at that stage but we have to learn from it. When this team learns from it then we'll have a chance to do what we really set out to do."

The disappointment from the loss lingered, but Grambling had several positive takeaways from the effort.

Grambling's offense ran smoothly with new quarterback DeVante Kincade. Assuming he can stay healthy this year — he strained his hamstring and missed the second half — the offense could put up the same numbers it did in 2015 when the Tigers averaged more than 40 points per game.

Wide receiver Chad Williams provided the offense with a big lift. Playing in his first game since serving a one-game suspension, the senior hauled in 13 passes for 152 yards.

The Tigers have been known for their offensive prowess the past few years, but it was the defense that made strides against Arizona. In the 2015 opener, Cal roasted Grambling's defense, scoring 73 points in the win.